The rites of the springs, is a music piece was composed by Igor Stravinsky. It signified a sacrifice to spring gods where a chosen girl was supposed to dance herself to death. The piece was initially performed on 29th May 1913 in Theatre de Champs Elysees in Paris by Ballets Russian group and invoked a riot as a result of revolutionary and fresh harmonies, structures, instruments, and rhythms. Igor Stravinsky was born in Oranienbaum, on 17th June 1882 and died in 1971. Igor was exposed to music at an early age by his father who was the St. Pertsburg Opera, leading basso. He succeeded in law and piano studies and later on developed a number of compositions including Fireworks, Scherzo fantastique and the firebird among others (Larmore, n.d.). The piece was coordinated by Leonard Bernstein who was an American author, conductor, pianist, music lecturer and composer who lived between 1918 and 1990.
The rite of spring most obvious and jarring element is its rhythmic structure complete originality. The piece expands on Petrushka unusual meters and frequently changing rhythms method. The piece also incorporate varying orchestral sections playing contradictory and contrary rhythms, almost similar to an expanded sorts of hemiola, not solely limited to the three over two juxtaposition. The performance included a number of instruments including flutes, alto flute, contrabassoon, oboes, clarinets in B-flat and E-flat, bassoons, and bass clarinet (Jmay6901, 2016)
The piece is perfectly performed, creating harmonious tempos based on the section being played. The performers were able to maintain the original rhythm and coordination of instruments to create a more precise tune that is no difference from the original piece. The performance comes out clearly almost signifying real situation in real life, especial in sections meant to invoke fear. The coordination of instrument enhances a balance and effective transition from one part to the other. Each tune varies per the sections though with a few cases of counter melodies at the beginning of the performance. The piece generally has a complex rhythms structure. The effect of the piece on the listener varies based on the part played. Some parts are quite scarily invoking fear and expectation of something traumatic, while other parts give entertaining tunes.
References
Jmay6901. (2016, Jan 25). Igor Stravinsky the rite of spring Leonard Bernstein. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9M2oTHa3GM
Larmore, S. (n.d.). Stravinsky – summary the rite of spring. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/en/document/studocu-university/studocu-summary-library/summaries/stravinsky-summary-the-rite-of-spring/1041005/view
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